the sea-voyage, but it was the wrong word to use

that morning about Commander Franklynne Delano Jefferson, now that she

was back on solid ground.

'I'm a little apprehensive, aren't you?"

'Not this time. On my last trip there were many occasions when I was

scared shitless. But now we're honoured guests- representing the First

Family. With the whole weight and authority of the Federation behind

us."

'And I've got you to look after me."

'You could do worse, ma'am. You could do worse."

Fran's mouth hardened as her natural arrogance came to the fore, then

gradually her face and eyes softened.

Steve's winning smile broadened into a grin.

'Relax. They might not accept what we're going to put on the table,

but apart from that, what can happen?" What indeed ....

The perforations in the side-screens allowed them a partial view of the

countryside, but they could only see outwards horizontally; the

thickness of the wooden panels and the smallness of the holes prevented

them from seeing what lay ahead. The first intimation they were

approaching the end of their journey was the sudden change in the sound

made by the horses' hooves then the carriage wheels, as their mounted

escort left the stone and dirt road and drummed across a planked wooden

bridge.

There was a noticeable coolness, a feeling of a massive stone

enclosure. The light outside was briefly eclipsed then returned just

as swiftly as the horses clattered and the wheels trundled evenly into

a courtyard whose walls were made of dressed stone. They were inside

the Palace.

Steve motioned to Fran to replace her face mask and did the same,

pulling the cowl of his cloak forward so that his head was deeply

shadowed. Outside, people were shouting and responding to orders;

wooden-soled sandals clattered to and fro.

Fran listened to the babble of voices then said: 'This is not quite the

end of the line. They are taking us to the. Inner Court."

The carriage-box was hoisted off its wheeled chassis onto eight new

sets of shoulders then carried on a twisting course that took them

through a series of walled courtyards containing neatly pruned trees,

shrubs, and ponds fed by small waterfalls, into a long dark passageway

and up a flight of stairs, emerging again into the light on a

balcony.

Fran and Steve both caught a brief glimpse of a neatly raked stone and

pebble garden then a sharp right turn took them back into the

shadows.

A moment or two later, they were lowered gently to the floor and the

two side poles were withdrawn. They heard several pairs of bare feet

shuffle away, followed by the smooth swish of closing wall-screens.

There was a respectful knock on the door followed by Fujiwara's voice,

inviting them to step out and remove their masks and hooded cloaks.

Fujiwara stood facing them, flanked by his four companions.

All of them now wore white headbands bearing the red disc - the

hinomaru - the rising sun emblem of Ne-Issan. On the left breast of

their loose black tunics was a white circle containing two overlapping

horizontal bars with chamfered ends - the house badge of the TohYota

family.

After everyone had tried to outdo each other in the bowing contest and

finally called it a draw, Fujiwara said: 'Allow me to show you to your

quarters."

Steve caught Fran's look and didn't need further prompting. 'When do

we get down to business, Major?"

'I regret this is not for me to say. Decisions as to when and where

any meetings will take place are made at a very high level. My orders

are to ensure that you are properly housed, fed and supplied with every

convenience until you are granted audience by those who wish to hear

what you have to say."

As they followed Fujiwara down passages and up more stairs, ever deeper